Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

Today in the News Media

Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media.

Charitable Fund Drive Update

At a time when many of our neighbors are in the greatest need, the rest of us are suffering from tightening purse strings. But the annual Charitable Fund Drive is one way in which state employees can make a measurable difference in the lives of others. Last year, OSU employees donated $117,568, which benefits organizations like United Way. This year, we’re falling far short of that goal. To date, 116 OSU employees have donated a total of $59,723. Meanwhile, UO has had 438 employees who donated $169,352 so far. You can help improve our numbers by going to http://oregonstate.edu/charitablefunddrive/ and donating to a cause that’s more important now than ever. You have until Jan. 10.

It’s an OSU recruiting trip — to Iraq (Oregonian)
The dean of Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences is touring Iraq as part of an effort to connect students there with ag programs here.

Federal forests could be tasked with fighting global warming (Oregonian)
The rain-soaked tangle of trees on the west slope of the Cascades and eastern Ponderosa pine forests draw in carbon dioxide and store it in timber, plants and soil. These forests absorb and store up to half of the emissions from Oregon’s cars and power plants, according to a calculation by Oregon State University. (See also UPI)Wait is over for wave-energy facility to buoy up Reedsport (Daily Journal of Commerce)
Jobs also were a concern in 2004, when Oregon State University began studying the potential for a wave-energy facility in Reedsport. Tymchuk faced backlash from local fishermen and crabbers concerned that the facility would impact their livelihood.OSU to team up with Hawaiian community college (Gazette-Times)
Oregon State University will enter into a “degree partnership agreement” on Monday that is intended to allow Kapi`olani Community College graduates to seamlessly and efficiently continue their undergraduate studies with OSU.

Marketing meat poses challenges (Capital Press)
The phenomenon of direct marketing to consumers, stores and restaurants is becoming more mainstream, said Lauren Gwin, an Oregon State University researcher who specializes in alternative meat marketing.Oregon voices on Afghanistan (Oregonian)
This includes quotes from Lt. Col. Paul V. Ashcraft, professor of military science, Oregon State University, Army ROTC.

Privacy, a Forgotten Virtue (Newsweek)
Steven Ortiz, an assistant sociology professor at Oregon State University and an expert on marriages in sport, says sportsmen often expect to get away with infidelity because of a “spoiled athletes syndrome,” where the talented are set apart, told they are special, and never held accountable for inappropriate and careless behavior.

Budget cuts could mean the end of Oregon’s forest protection rules (Oregonian)
State forestry officials warned this month that more staff cuts will force Oregon to abandon enforcement of the law. What are now rules would become voluntary guidelines. “It’s about as radical as what happened in 1971, when Oregon adopted the nation’s first forest practice rules,” said Hal Salwasser, dean of Oregon State University’s College of Forestry.

Direct sales channels have own challenges (Capital Press)
Sales of livestock to groups of friends or buying clubs who then pay to have the animals slaughtered and processed can cut the expense of direct marketing, said Lauren Gwin, a meat marketing research associate at Oregon State University.

Hampton president Harvey on NCAA panel searching for next NCAA president (Daily Press)
Ed Ray, NCAA executive committee chairman and president of Oregon State University, said the search is on pace to meet the goal of having the NCAA’s fifth president in office by the beginning of the 2010 academic year.Federal award supports coastal management (Statesman Journal)
The award includes $700,000 for the operation of the South Slough National Research Reserve, and support for student fellowships in coastal management at Oregon State University and Portland State University.

Today

Beaver Strides, a weekly walking group, meets at noon in front of the Plageman Building (Student Health Services) for a 45 minute walk.

Upcoming events

NEW! A Lunch & Learn event takes place Dec. 9, at noon, in MU 207. The topic will be “Teaching Your Kids about Personal Safety.” The Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence will be presenting. The presentation contains sensitive information that may not be appropriate for young children.

NEW! Faculty/Staff Fitness (FSF) will be offering fitness scholarships (a.k.a fitnesships) this winter term to help with class registration costs. The program will be offering (on a first come- first serve basis) fitnesships as a way for classified staff to enroll in a fitness course that they might otherwise be unable to afford. Registrants are asked to pay a portion of the class fee and the scholarship supplements the remainder. For further details and to qualify for a fitnesship please print out an application form online at: http://www.hhs.oregonstate.edu/nes/faculty-staff-fitness-fsf-program/

NEW! Today we’re introducing a mobile platform for Oregon State on the Web. The goals of alpha release are to provide building information, maps, contact information and finals schedules. The initial release provides basic functionality on a mobile platform that will add new
features and components over time. This project is a collaboration of Media Services – Central Web Services, and University Advancement – Web Communications, and with assistance from the Office of the Registrar and Facilities Services. The Alpha release will initially support iPhone/iPod Touch, Android, Palm Pre devices. Blackberry support is in development and will be available later in the launch. We’d love to hear what you think after visiting the alpha mobile site at http://m.oregonstate.edu/, so please send your thoughts and comments to osumobile@lists.oregonstate.edu.

Business suit donations needed. Lightly used business attire is being sought for the 5th Annual Career Makeover event scheduled for Feb. 11, 2010 in the MU Ballroom. The OSU MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) Chapter hosts the event along with OSU Career Services and the generous sponsorship support of Campbell’s Cleaners. Donations may be dropped off at Career Services in the basement of Kerr Admin., StAg. 137, or in Portland at the Beaver Fan Shop, or by contacting Wanda.Crannell@oregonstate.edu to arrange pick up.

The new issue of Update, the Research Office Newsletter is available at http://oregonstate.edu/research/news/update/0911.html News and features about and for the OSU community, including “Of NSF, Responsibility, and Your Students, A training requirement,” insider tips about OSU Research, technology transfer, check out the VP candidates, learn about a bevy of entrepreneurs and “Research and Shared Facilities: Your Unit Here.” Are your resources listed? What’s available for you?

The voting deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 8 for Faculty Senate President-Elect and Interinstitutional Faculty Senator. Ballots were electronically distributed to all eligible faculty voters on Nov. 17. Senator election ballots were electronically distributed yesterday to all eligible faculty voters. All ballots must be cast by 5 p.m. Dec. 11. Please contact vickie.nunnemaker@oregonstate.edu to determine eligibility if you did not receive these ballots.

Just in time for Christmas! The OSU classified employees union, SEIU Local 083 Hardship Fund-Raiser: Local 083, is selling tickets to win one of two twin-sized Disney character quilts. All proceeds go to the Local 083 Hardship Fund. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5 and are on sale Dec. 1–14. The drawing will be held Dec. 15. For tickets and pictures of the quilts, visit the Local 083 home page at http://local083.seiu503.org/ and click on the Quilt Drawing Fund-Raiser! link.

Protect Yourself and Loved Ones Over the Holidays - Student Health Services has injectable H1N1 flu vaccine for OSU students, faculty and staff who fall into one of the following high-risk categories: Pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all people through 24 years of age, and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. Those eligible to receive the vaccine may come to Plageman Student Health Center, Monday-Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary for walk-ins; there may be a short wait to receive injections as this is not a formal flu shot clinic. Students: $10 (charged to your OSU student account; bring your OSU ID card). Faculty/staff: $15 (If covered by PEBB Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, the fee will be billed directly to Regence. Otherwise, pay on site by cash or check. Bring your insurance card and OSU ID card.) More information: 541-737-9355 or http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/swineflu.

Lewis Leadership Award Nomination: We are asking again for nominations for the Lewis Leadership Award, designated for Facilities Services (FS) employees who have demonstrated leadership qualities in their work at OSU. The award process was developed by a grass roots FS committee to recognize an employee whom embodies the spirit of “leadership at every level.” This could have been exhibited by a single event, or by sustained performance. The award is presented to the employee at FS’s All-Hands Meetings. The employee receives a cash award as well as other kudos. Nominations must be received by Dec. 10. To submit a nomination go to http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/sites/default/files/webform/nominate.html

Research Associate, Oregon State University, full time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term. Open to internal regular OSU employees only. To review job posting and apply go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs and search for posting #0005009. Closing Date: Dec. 21. OSU is an AA/EOE.

Professional Faculty, Web Communication Editor: The Office of Human Resources invites applications for a half-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Web Communication Editor position. This is an internal search and open only to OSU employees, for more details and application instructions, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Posting 0005001. Closing date Dec. 14. OSU is an AA/EOE.

OSU’s Student Leadership & Involvement is seeking a F/T Accounting Technician, starting at $2,138/monthly + benefits. Major duties include document processing, office and payroll support. This position works with student government, student organizations, and leadership training in a positive and rewarding environment. To review posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs, Posting #0004963. Closing date: Today. OSU is an AA/EOE

Weather

This was a good weekend to dig out the wool socks from the back of the drawer and assess the state of your mittens. You’ll be needing all that and more this week as icy temperatures continue. Today’s high will reach 32 degrees with an overnight low of 13. Tomorrow will “warm” up to 33, but the low will drop to 12.